summer

I’m going to be real honest with you for a moment: I did not know that rhubarb came in stalks until a few years ago. I feel plenty of shame for this, so please: judge my ignorance in silence. I don’t think I ever thought about what it actually was shaped like (A berry? A melon? A big amorphous blob of yum?), nor could I actually pin point its distinct flavor. Rarely does rhubarb get a solo performance: it’s usually second fiddle to its frenemy the strawberry. Don’t get me wrong, this magical combination has driven me to many a pie-eating contest (against myself), but it’s time to give rhubarb it’s due.

Ready for summer? Not that we’ve been suffering *at all* here in the Bay Area, but I hear the rest of the country has. And by golly I can’t just sit idly by as they thaw out from Snowmageddon or Blizzard-pocalypse or whatever it’s being called without providing some warm weather-style recipes for their enjoyment. I’m just that sweet and nurturing.

I just ate half a bag of cheese crunchies. Which emptied the contents completely, because I did the same thing last night this morning. This is why, people. This is why I’m not allowed to be alone with tasty treats. They call to me. I actually hear little powdered-dairy voices echoing in my head saying things like “You know you want it” and “Everything tastes as good as skinny feels” and “Just cave already! Eat your feelings! Nom!” And yes– they actually do get angrier the longer I hold out, until I cave under the pressure and eat THE WHOLE DANG BAG.

But moving on from crazy town and into actual, adult conversation….

I had to do something healthy for myself after the cheese debacle (I did donate a bag of brownies to a neighbor and trashed the rest of the crunchy population residing in my cabinets), so dove into my vegetable drawer and came up with something that didn’t make me feel like a teenage headcase mourning over the loss of a bag of potato chips. Pathetic!

In a large bowl, combine the shallot, garlic, vinegar, salt, and pepper and mix well. Cut the tomatoes in half and add to the bowl. You can use larger tomatoes, but you will need to seed them or else there will be too much liquid in the pan. Toss the mixture and set aside to marinate for up to 1 hour. In a large pan heat the oil over medium-high and add the tomato mixture. Cook for a few minutes and then add the chard, stirring to cover everything with the vinegar. Cook this down for a few minutes, or until the liquid is reduced to a syrup-like consistency. Do not over cook– no longer than 5-7 minutes. Add the beaten eggs and turn heat down to medium-low. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the eggs are mostly set. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and cover for another 5 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from heat, sprinkle with the basil, and serve immediately. Great with garlic toast!